Welsh research highlights link between school experiences and poorer adult mental health

A new study by Public Health Wales and Bangor University has found that difficult childhood experiences and negative school environments can lead to mental health problems in adulthood.

The research, published in BMC Public Health, shows that schools need to be better equipped to support children facing hardship to help protect their wellbeing.

The study analysed responses from adults across Wales, revealing that individuals who experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as child maltreatment or parental substance abuse, or negative school experiences, such as bullying or social exclusion, were more likely to suffer from mental health issues later in life.

The link between adversity and mental health

The research found a clear connection between adversity at home and difficulties at school. Among individuals with no ACEs, only 6% reported both being bullied and having a low sense of school belonging.

However, for those who had experienced four or more ACEs, this figure rose to 51%. This suggests that children facing hardship at home are more vulnerable to further adversity in school.

Despite the challenges, the study found that positive school experiences could help reduce the long-term impact of ACEs.

Among adults who had four or more ACEs, the proportion reporting current mental illness was 44% among those who had been bullied and felt excluded at school, but dropped to 19% among those with positive school experiences.

Professor Karen Hughes from Public Health Wales emphasised the importance of supportive school environments:

“This study reinforces the importance of ensuring schools are safe, supportive spaces for children facing adversity. By fostering positive school experiences and equipping staff with the tools to provide appropriate support, we can help improve long-term health outcomes and create lasting benefits for individuals and society.”

Building trauma-informed education in Wales

Wales has already taken steps to address these challenges by training school staff to understand and respond to childhood adversity.

The ACE Hub Wales Trauma and ACE-Informed Organisational Toolkit has been introduced across schools and other public services to promote trauma-sensitive approaches.

Dr Joanne Hopkins, Director of ACE Hub Wales, stressed the need to maintain momentum in trauma-informed education:

“Children have a right to education, and a right to be safe. This research finds that those who experienced more ACEs at home were also more likely to experience bullying and traumatic experiences at school. More positive school experiences can help mitigate the impact of ACEs. The study signals that it is vital we maintain focus on developing a trauma- and ACE-informed education system in Wales.”

Public Health Wales is calling for policies that better support children who have faced adversity, helping to reduce long-term harm and improve their mental health as they grow up.

Dr Kat Ford from the Public Health Collaborating Unit, Bangor University, highlighted the widespread nature of childhood trauma:

“The experience of childhood trauma is common. Here, around one in ten people reported having experienced four or more ACEs. Our findings add to a growing body of evidence demonstrating the need to ensure safe and secure childhood environments, to provide children with the best opportunities for health throughout their lives.”